Page 71 of Committed
ChapterTwenty-Five
Laz’s cell phone vibrated, and he leaned back slightly in the chair and dug it out of the front of his pocket. Ashton’s name flashed across the screen.
“What’s up, man?” Laz asked. Standing with the phone pressed to his ear, he headed to the ballroom door to hear better. As he moved between tables and people huddling together and talking, he looked around the huge room for Journey.
Where the hell is she? The last time I saw her, she was talking to some woman.
“A couple of things,” Ashton said, cutting into Laz’s thoughts. “First, your boy Remy is the one who leaked the info about the shooting.”
“That asshole,” Laz mumbled. “I shouldn’t be surprised. If he could, he’d probably kill me himself.”
“In his defense, it wasn’t intentional. I found footage of him talking to a reporter about some other shootings in that area. The reporter said something about cops not being around when needed, and Remy disagreed. Then he said it was a tough area where even detectives get gunned down. He caught himself, stopped talking, but then kept going. He didn’t mention your name, but—”
“A good reporter could research from there,” Laz finished.
“Exactly. Are you still at the fundraiser?” Ashton asked.
“Yeah, why? You decided to attend?”
“No, but I have some information. I figured I’d share it with you before pulling Ted in on it. We’ve ID’d a person of interest who might be behind the shooting.”
Laz’s heart stopped. “Who?”
“It’s a long shot, but I think Tony could be involved.”
“Tony who?” Laz asked, quickly going through his mental rolodex. “Do you know how many Tonys I….” his voice trailed off, and his heart stuttered. His gaze roamed around the ballroom again, and he moved around the perimeter of the space, determined to find his wife. “Please tell me it’s not—”
“Tony Price. Journey’s ex. His computer business is listed as one of the subcontractors in the city housing contract. He does more than just repair computers at his tech company. Had the contract not been put on hold, he would’ve been hired to install smart home technology into some of the houses. The budget for his part was almost one mil.”
Damn. Damn. Damn.
“Wiz pulled Tony’s financials,” Ashton continued, “and Price is on the verge of bankruptcy. The contract would’ve been just what he needed to get his business out of the red. But with the contract going away—”
“His business will tank,” Laz said absently while he continued glancing around.
Seemed like even more people had arrived, making it harder to find Journey. She wasn’t supposed to leave his sight.
“Ash, keep digging. Let’s make sure it’s him before we notify Ted, assuming he doesn’t already have Tony on his radar.”
Laz disconnected the call, and his gut churned with worry. The more he thought about Tony as a possible suspect, the more he realized it was possible. The man knew Journey well enough to know that her family meant everything.
Coming after me to scare her into dropping the case was a calculated move that backfired.
Not seeing Journey, Laz looked for Dakota and Zenobia. Maybe she had gone with Zen to help her prepare for her performance. Laz shook that thought free. She wouldn’t have left without telling him.
Maybe they’re in the ladies’ room.
He hurried out of the ballroom toward the restrooms, hoping he’d find her there. But that nagging feeling that always warned him when something was wrong stirred inside him.
That motherfucker better not have my wife.
Laz slowed and sent off a quick text to Hamilton.
Can’t find Journey. She might be in trouble.
* * *
“Don’t do this, Tony,” Journey said, struggling to keep up with how fast he was moving. “Anything you’ve done so far will just be a misdemeanor. But if you take me from this building against my will—a federal employee—the charges increase to a felony and will multiply as a federal offense. Please don’t do this. Don’t throw your life away like this.”